Hallelujah, Summer at last!

2018-05-31

As I write this, it seems that our never ending Winter and miserable Spring may go on forever. Being an optimist, I will assume that we will get some nice weather soon. Summer is when we enjoy all the charms of Montreal: the festivals, outdoor terraces, the mountain, Old Montreal and so on but let’s not forget what you can enjoy right here in Hampstead.

Tennis
I am told that we have the finest clay courts on the island and two top teaching pros but the courts are often not full. Many residents do not realize that you can get a daily pass and don’t have to get a season pass to play. The daily passes are for restricted times but they include evenings and weekends. However, if you play a great deal, want lessons with our pros, or want to be part of our inter-club leagues then the season pass is an excellent value.

Pickleball
Never heard of Pickleball? Google it and watch a video. It is very popular and several residents asked for it when I was going door to door. We will set up one or two outdoor courts this summer and we plan to set up a portable court during some of our events.

Pool
Our heated swimming pool is one of the best outdoor ones on the island. Season passes are very economical but you can just pay for the day if you only want to use it a limited number of times. The pool also has a large splash play area for young kids.

Day Camp
Our day camp grows in popularity every year so sign up your kids and they will have a great time. Trips, swim lessons, rainy day activities and much more are what your kids can look forward to. You can sign up for one or more weeks but spots are limited so don’t wait for the last minute.

Events – New Concert Series
Aside from our summer welcoming event - Hampstead Day, we have free events all year, mostly geared to our younger kids. However, this summer we will have at least three concerts for people of all ages: a wonderful Klezmer band; an excellent Jazz band with music from 40’s to present; and a classical music group playing Vivaldi. If the concerts are popular we will have more offerings next summer and beyond so come out and enjoy.

Sports programs
Sign up your kids for soccer, baseball or any of our offerings. Register yourself for an exercise program. Our recreation brochure has many options.

More Outdoor exercise activities
Many residents belong to health clubs and/or have personal trainers. That is great but how about leaving the car at home when you are going a short distance. Walk to the restaurants on Monkland or Queen Mary. Use our 13 paths when you go for a walk around the town. Try our outdoor exercise equipment located in Hampstead Park near Queen Mary and Hampstead Road. Hampstead has no bike paths because it is safe to cycle all over the town except maybe Fleet. Get active, the summer is too short to drive everywhere.

Don’t miss anything. Sign up for our weekly e-mails by going to www.hampstead.qc.ca and clicking on My Hampstead on the left side tab in red. Once registered, in addition to our weekly e-mails, you can get parking permits online, order garbage bags or renew your dog license. More features are being added over the coming months.

If you have any comments or questions on this topic or anything related to Hampstead, please e-mail me at wsteinberg@hampstead.qc.ca or call me 7 days a week until midnight at my home office (514) 483-6954.